Culture · Science · The weather record
The Weather of 1978
Observations at Vellmar, with the level of the Ostra, fog on the river and the state of Lake Tarn at Tarnmund, as recorded by The Tarnmund Observatory, observing since 1869. Temperatures in degrees, rainfall in millimetres.
The months
| Month | Mean | Warmest day | Coldest night | Rain | Fog days | Frost days | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -0.8° | 11° | -9° | 58 mm | 9 | 23 | Snow lay in the capital for several days. |
| February | 0.5° | 12° | -12° | 56 mm | 8 | 15 | Snow lay in the capital for several days. |
| March | 4.8° | 14° | -5° | 68 mm | 7 | 0 | Hail at Kessel. |
| April | 10.1° | 23° | 1° | 31 mm | 0 | 0 | The reed harvest was gathered in good order. |
| May | 15.4° | 27° | 3° | 47 mm | 0 | 0 | Fog on the marsh most mornings. |
| June | 18.7° | 29° | 9° | 62 mm | 0 | 0 | Rain for the Victory Day parade. |
| July | 21.0° | 30° | 12° | 74 mm | 1 | 0 | Dry and warm; Lake Tarn low at Tarnmund. |
| August | 20.8° | 34° | 9° | 73 mm | 3 | 0 | Thunder over the Kesselhöh on several evenings. |
| September | 11.1° | 23° | 0° | 63 mm | 6 | 0 | |
| October | 6.4° | 16° | -3° | 69 mm | 11 | 0 | |
| November | 1.7° | 11° | -6° | 75 mm | 8 | 8 | |
| December | -1.5° | 12° | -13° | 73 mm | 8 | 27 |
Lake Tarn
The lake froze at Tarnmund on 6 January 1978, as the towns reported and bore the weight of a man by the end of the month; the ferry to the eastern shore was replaced by a marked path. The thaw is recorded on 12 February 1978.
The Ostra
The river rose to 3 metres above its mark at Vellmar bridge at the highest. 61 days of fog were recorded on the lower river, the ferries stopping when the far bank could not be seen.
The Observatory's note
The Tarnmund Observatory certifies the foregoing as the record of 1978, compiled from the Vellmar station, the lakeside station at Tarnmund and the garrison readings at Marschau. Readings on the Osmoor beyond the Reed Line are not taken. The Observatory notes that the front-line report received each evening from the War Ministry makes no mention of the weather at the front, and that none is expected.
Warmest month, 21.0°; coldest, -1.5°. Means are of the month; the warmest day and coldest night are the extremes recorded.
Weather in the public record
- 6 January 1978, Berging. The coldest night in 30 years is recorded at Berging. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 14 January 1978, Oberbach. The Ostra rises 70 centimetres above its mark at Oberbach. Cellars in Church Way are flooded. Report.
- 17 January 1978, Oberholt. A storm strips roofs in Oberholt and fells the old lime in Short Row. Report.
- 23 January 1978, Hollhausen. A storm strips roofs in Hollhausen and fells the old lime in Ferry Street. Report.
- 2 February 1978, Hollhausen. The Ostra rises 80 centimetres above its mark at Hollhausen. Cellars in Church Quay are flooded. Report.
- 12 February 1978, Oberbach. A storm strips roofs in Oberbach and fells the old lime in Reed Street. Report.
- 20 February 1978, Tarnmoor. The Ostra rises 70 centimetres above its mark at Tarnmoor. Cellars in Market Street are flooded. Report.
- 16 March 1978, Hollhausen. The Ostra rises 50 centimetres above its mark at Hollhausen. Cellars in Church Quay are flooded. Report.
- 20 March 1978, Hochstadt. The Ostra rises 30 centimetres above its mark at Hochstadt. Cellars in Tanner Street are flooded. Report.
- 18 April 1978, Sudfurt. The Ostra rises 40 centimetres above its mark at Sudfurt. Cellars in Old Gate Walk are flooded. Report.
- 28 April 1978, Vellhausen. A storm strips roofs in Vellhausen and fells the old lime in Ferry Gate. Report.
- 27 May 1978, Grauburg. The coldest night in 30 years is recorded at Grauburg. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 29 May 1978, Sanding. The Ostra rises 80 centimetres above its mark at Sanding. Cellars in Bridge Street are flooded. Report.
- 1 June 1978, Oberbach. A storm strips roofs in Oberbach and fells the old lime in Church Way. Report.
- 10 June 1978, Ostrabruck. The Ostra rises 70 centimetres above its mark at Ostrabruck. Cellars in Chapel Way are flooded. Report.
- 12 June 1978, Weinfeld. A storm strips roofs in Weinfeld and fells the old lime in Church Street. Report.
- 14 June 1978, Grauholt. The Ostra rises 70 centimetres above its mark at Grauholt. Cellars in Well Square are flooded. Report.
- 8 July 1978, Oberbach. The coldest night in 80 years is recorded at Oberbach. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 26 July 1978, Eisenheim. A storm strips roofs in Eisenheim and fells the old lime in Harbour Square. Report.
- 31 July 1978, Berging. The Ostra rises 30 centimetres above its mark at Berging. Cellars in Old Gate Walk are flooded. Report.
- 9 August 1978, Sudholt. A storm strips roofs in Sudholt and fells the old lime in Weaver Square. Report.
- 15 September 1978, Wasserdorf. The coldest night in 60 years is recorded at Wasserdorf. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 15 September 1978, Marschau. The coldest night in 40 years is recorded at Marschau. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 17 September 1978, Wasserdorf. A storm strips roofs in Wasserdorf and fells the old lime in High Street. Report.
- 30 September 1978, Norrhafen. The Ostra rises 80 centimetres above its mark at Norrhafen. Cellars in Church Way are flooded. Report.
- 14 October 1978, Reedtal. The coldest night in 20 years is recorded at Reedtal. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 5 November 1978, Vellhausen. A storm strips roofs in Vellhausen and fells the old lime in Ferry Gate. Report.
- 9 November 1978, Salzhafen. The Ostra rises 60 centimetres above its mark at Salzhafen. Cellars in Garrison Street are flooded. Report.
- 3 December 1978, Grauburg. A storm strips roofs in Grauburg and fells the old lime in High Walk. Report.
- 23 December 1978, Salzhafen. A storm strips roofs in Salzhafen and fells the old lime in Garrison Street. Report.